[ad_1]
Updated 24 minutes ago
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke by phone this morning amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in Northern Ireland.
923 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in NI in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health.
4,674 cases have been reported in the last seven days, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the region to 17,110.
The department has reported one more death, bringing the death toll to 587.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed to monitor the developing situation, with CMOs on both sides of the border, Dr. Tony Holohan and Dr. Michael McBride, this afternoon discussing a “harmonization of measures” on both sides of the border. .
The Derry City and Strabane Council area, which has one of the highest infection rates in the UK, is currently subject to additional restrictions.
The border counties of Donegal and Monaghan also have the highest incidence rates of Covid-19 in the Republic.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach confirmed that Martin had spoken with his British counterpart this morning.
“Both expressed concern about the rising numbers in the North, but the prime minister also expressed concern about the impact of the restrictions on the economy. They will continue to monitor the situation and keep in touch, ”they said.
A Downing Street spokesperson also confirmed the talks, adding that “it was not a call on any aspect of Brexit.”
“It was about responding to Covid and ensuring that the UK government and the Irish government can work closely together to help combat the spread of the virus on the island of Ireland,” the spokesperson said.
Talking to reporters this afternoon, Martin said they discussed the “very serious” Covid-19 case numbers at NI and the need for financial support.
He said there was “no discussion” with Johnson about an island-wide circuit breaker where
The idea of a ‘circuit breaker’ is for a short and sharp period of strict restrictions aimed at curbing the rise in coronavirus cases.
No news is bad news
Support the magazine
your contributions help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Support us now
Northern Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill said this morning that she and Prime Minister Arlene Foster have “again requested an urgent conversation with Boris Johnson.”
“It is clear that our situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate. We have passed the point of warnings. We need financial support for families, workers and businesses immediately, ”he said.
The Northern Ireland executive will meet today and consider increasing fines for non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations, as well as an extension of the rules on face coverings to make them mandatory in public settings.
While NI ministers should discuss the possible extension of the restrictions to other areas of the council with high fees, such as the council of Newry, Morne and Down, they are not expected to make final decisions on the matter today.
– With information from Christina Finn and the Press Association
[ad_2]